Nail knot

{{Short description|Type of knot used in fishing}}

{{Knot-details

| name=Nail knot

| image= Nail knot.svg

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| type= bend

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| uses= fly fishing

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The nail knot, also known as the tube knot or gryp knot, is used in fly fishing to attach the leader to the main fishing line. The knot has been described as "The best known knot for tying a

permanent leader butt of monofilament to a fly line"{{cite news | last = | first = | title =Tying the instant nail knot | agency = | work =Field & Stream | location = | pages =124, 134 | language = | publisher = | date =April 1974 | quote = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=aS5eRKFjprgC&dq=nail+knot+field+%26+stream&pg=PA124| accessdate =February 26, 2025 }} and "the most satisfactory means of attaching a leader butt to a fly line."

{{cite news | last =Blaisdell | first =Harold F. | title =Another Man's Version of the Instant Nail Knot| agency = | work =Field & Stream | location = | pages =72 | language = | publisher = | date = August 1974| quote = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=vTUUoqi2fsIC&dq=nail+knot+field+%26+stream&pg=PA73 | accessdate =February 26, 2025 }} Fly fishing author Sheridan Anderson recommended coating the nail knot with rubberized glue to prevent the knot from hanging up on the guides of the fishing pole.{{cite book | last =Anderson | first =Sheridan | authorlink =Sheridan Anderson | title = The Curtis Creek Manifesto| publisher =Frank Amato Publications| series = | volume = | edition = | date = 1978| location = | pages = 29| language = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=LHYeNAAACAAJ | doi = | id = | isbn =9780936608068 | quote=}}

The nail knot got its name because a nail or similar object such as a narrow straw is inserted as a guide when tying the knot. To tie the nail knot by hand is widely described as very difficult; therefore some anglers use a nail knot-tying tool. Such a tool can be fashioned from a partially straightened paper clip. Commercial versions of nail knot tools are also available. One example is made by Tie-Fast.{{cite magazine | last =Baldwin | first = Ken| title =Inexpensive Holiday Gifts for Fly Fishing That Give Big Returns: Looking for the perfect fly fishing stocking stuffers? Check out these affordable and useful gifts that any angler will love. | agency = | magazine =Sports Illustrated | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =December 12, 2024 | quote = | url =https://www.si.com/onsi/fishing/fly-fishing/inexpensive-holiday-gifts-for-fly-fishing | accessdate =February 26, 2025 }}